US Navy Initiated Second Phase of Drone Boat Program
The program now requires unmanned platforms capable of 10-day sea endurance for modular mission payloads.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Robotics
Live Poll
Should the US government increase its investment in autonomous drone vessel technology?
The US Navy has officially launched phase two of its medium unmanned surface vessel program to develop autonomous maritime platforms. This initiative focuses on evaluating industry-submitted designs through rigorous at-sea performance demonstrations.
Why it matters
Expanding unmanned maritime capabilities allows the Navy to deploy modular mission payloads without the logistical constraints of human-crewed vessels. The current phase establishes a formal endurance requirement to ensure these drones can maintain operational presence for extended missions.
Vessels must measure under 90 meters (295 feet) in length and maintain a 10-day endurance capability. Each platform is required to support at least two 20-foot shipping containers to house modular mission hardware.
The players
US Navy
The maritime branch of the United States Armed Forces currently integrating autonomous platforms into its fleet architecture.
The details
The program utilizes a design-competition model where the Navy evaluates platform performance through standardized at-sea demonstrations. These tests focus on objective metrics including sustained speed, maneuverability, and fuel consumption to determine platform viability. Successful designs must integrate enough deck space to accommodate at least two standard 20-foot shipping containers, which serve as the housing for various sensors and communication payloads.
Timeline
Phase 2 of the medium unmanned surface vessel program began on September 28, 2026.
The Tech Race
This program follows the ongoing expansion of autonomous naval initiatives aimed at reducing the human footprint of surface operations. It directly competes with global efforts to weaponize and automate the high seas through modular, containerized mission systems.
The transition to phase two shifts the program from paper concepts to active sea trials, which will inform the final procurement specifications for these unmanned boats. Industry participants can expect these performance criteria to dictate the future requirements for all upcoming maritime drone contracts.
The takeaway
The program is moving toward a concrete evaluation of speed and maneuverability metrics that will define the next generation of autonomous surface craft. Watch for the public results of these at-sea demonstrations to see which specific vessel designs meet the 10-day endurance threshold.
Further reading
For broader context on the evolution of maritime automation, see the latest updates in Robotics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Defense Post.
Live Poll
Should the US government increase its investment in autonomous drone vessel technology?
